In the California natural garden, as one season evolves into the next, change comes subtly with almost undetectable secrecy. But midwinter is another story. The stillness of everything, the cold nights and frosty mornings, short days and long sunsets, the overall stability of each plant and each plant grouping, through rain and shine, wind and still, sun and shade… it’s as if the garden lies quietly waiting for something to happen.
History and review
Winter rains have supplied nice moisture which, in most soils has penetrated deep enough to be effective. Dry windy periods between rains, especially with clear skies and bright sun, have allowed the top two inches of the soil to dry out a little, which gives it a chance to “breathe,” that is for oxygen to enter the root zone… very important. We have not had any hard freezes to date, so the 2018/19 winter has started out favorable to us gardeners.
Watering
Perfectly spaced rain events have supplied enough moisture for our natural gardens. No supplemental irrigation needed.
Related to Watering
Between rain events, keep an eye on the root balls of newly planted plants, as they can dry out faster than the surrounding soil. If you detect a dry root ball, use a watering can or hose to water it, and the the area immediately around the plant. No need to start the sprinklers for a few new plants when the soil is perfectly moist from rainfall.
Pruning
This is the best time to prune dormant deciduous trees and shrubs, to shape them and thin them as necessary. In addition, if your Matilija poppy is old and woody with tall lanky branches bending every which way, hack it back to almost ground level. It will rebound right away, and bloom better than ever this May. You can prune Matilija poppy back this way every year, or every other year, depending on the look you want to achieve with this shrub.
Weeding
You may see a few new winter weeds sprouting from seed. You can use your hoe or cultivator to grub them out, or if they are very young and tender they can be smothered with leaf mulch, providing that your garden needs mulch.
Mulching/Top dress
Remember the newer the planting, the finer (texture) the mulch. Most mature natural gardens look best with a 2” thick layer of a gritty bark topdress with chunks approximately 1/2” wide. But the best “mulch” is the natural leaf drop from any mature planting. As you are “cleaning up” fallen leaves, be sure to leave some old ones behind and spread them evenly under the shrubs so they will shade the soil, suppress weeds, conserve water and generally look tidy and natural. If your topdress is mineral, i.e.; pebbles or decomposed granite, be sure to prevent surface erosion during rainstorms by contouring the finished grade correctly.
Feeding
The soil is still cold. No need to apply plant food at this time.
Troubleshooting – Varmints, Pests and Diseases
Be on the lookout for gophers. Bunnies may make an appearance soon, but as a general rule in wet years, they have sufficient weeds and grass to keep them happy in the vacant land out yonder, snails are not too active yet, but they never really give up, and grizzly bears, who can break stiff branches as they crash through the chaparral, won’t be a problem this year because they have been extinct in California for around a hundred years. We might only hope they could find your garden suitable for habitat today.
Look on flowering stems, just behind the flower clusters (forming now) for damage from Ceanothus stem gall moth. The stems will be abnormally swollen and the damage is done, no remedy but to cut the affected stem off and throw it in the trash (not compost pile). For a lesson, slice into the stem with a sharp knife, you will find the little caterpillars that will eventually pupate and emerge as adult moths. As they feed on the plant tissue in the stem, the plant reacts by forming its unsightly gall, and thus the larvae remain protected from predators. In some years the problem is worse than in others. It is a naturally occurring pest and prevention is almost impossible. Just cut the bad stems off early and hope the insects’ life cycle will still allow some good flowers to stay on your Ceanothus.
Manzanita leaf curl aphid is a similar insect pest. The gall forms on the leaves of the new growth. The leaves turn magenta and lavender/red, and get curled up and deformed as react to the insect feeding. The leaf curl gall protects aphids inside who are happily feeding on your plant. The only safe remedy is to cut and discard the affected branches or leaves at first sign of damage.
Photos by Mike Evans
Annual Wildflowers
If you have not sown seed for spring bloom of wildflowers, it is still not too late, though the people who did this last month already have sprouted seedlings. If you have new seedlings emerging, don’t accidentally pull them out as weeds, or if you do, remember not to do that again next year.
Adding New Plants
While all is still and calm in the garden, you have a great chance to observe and imagine… and add a few new plants for diversity and effect. We have great plants available this season, Come on over.
Engage
The time you spend in your natural garden, or in a natural area, walking, sitting, thinking, breathing… watching, listening, feeling, smelling, and tasting, is the time you (we) need for reflecting, regenerating, growing and healing. As we embark on a new year, let’s work toward a sort of discipline that will allow us to be free. Yes, in our busy world we need to actually plan free time. This may involve trips out to the wild places, or simply a few minutes a day in our natural gardens. The key is to do these things regularly.
From the Garden,
Mike Evans
Questions? Help is just one call or one email away. Call (949) 728-0685 or email (with pictures if you like) our special helpline: gardenhelp@californianativeplants.com